Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Department of Pharmacy, GRD (PG) IMT Rajpur, Dehradun 248009 UK. India
Abstract
Keywords
1. Introduction
A scientific evaluation of herbs or medicinal plants according to their traditional methods of use in various diseases management can incorporate them into the complementary and alternative medicine. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Hypoxidaceae) is a perennial herb with long cylindrical rhizomes, distributed throughout India, especially in north hillside region, as well as in other Asian countries [1]. It is popularly known as “kali musali” in India. The plant is found in near sea levels up to 2300 m, especially in moist laterite soil. The rhizome, as well as the tuberous roots of the plant has been extensively used in indigenous systems of medicine in India, Pakistan, China and some other Asian countries for the treatment of various diseases [2]. The rhizomes of this plant possess medicinal as well as other properties and is effective against different diseases like: cooling, diuretic, aphrodisiac, tonic hemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, pruritis, skin diseases, asthma, bronchitis and jaundice, cancer, diarthrosis wound healing, and sweet etc. [3, 4]. The active compounds reported are flavones, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, triterpenoids and other secondary metabolites [5-7]. Therefore, the plants have long since been deemed a valuable source of natural products for maintaining human health. Therefore, we used the rhizome hydroalcoholic extracts (HE), its alkaloidal fraction (AF) and non-alkaloidal fractions (NAF) to study their anti-inflammatory effects using hind paw edema method, and their acute toxicity Wistar rats. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of different fractions AF and NAF on anti-inflammatory activity of C. orchioides.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Sample collection
The C. orchioides rhizomes were collected from Dehradun, (Uttarakhand) India. The authentication was done by Scientist at Botanical survey of India (BSI), Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India, on 7-09-2009 with letter Ref no. : BDS-112739.
2.2. Preparation of extracts
The rhizomes of the C. orchioides were shade dried. The shade dried rhizomes were grinded into coarse powder, weighted and defatted by petroleum ether using maceration method for 6 hour before extraction. The dry defatted rhizome powders were extracted in the Soxhlet extraction apparatus using hydroalcoholic (ethanol 70%) solvent. The hydroalcoholic extracts were concentrated using rotary vacuum evaporator. The resultant extract was dried and stored in vacuum desiccators.
2.2.1. Extraction of alkaloids
Ethanolic extract of C. orchioides rhizome was distilled off solvent and treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The basic compounds (alkaloids) were extracted as their soluble salts. The aqueous layer, containing the salt of alkaloids and soluble plant impurities, was made basic with NaOH. The insoluble alkaloids were set free and precipitated out. The solid precipitate was extracted with ether. Alkaloids passed into solution and impurities left behind, and the remaining portion of the extract was non-alkaloidal [8]. Order of separation of Alkaloids from ethanolic extract of Curculigo orchioides is shown in Scheme 1.
2.3. Test samples and standards
Suspension of the C. orchioides rhizome extracts (HE) and its alkaloid (AF) and non-alkaloid (NAF) fractions were prepared in sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC, 0.5%) in distilled water. All test samples and standard drug were administered orally to the rats. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) was used as standard drug.
2.4. Acute toxicity test studies
Acute toxicity studies were carried out on Wistar rats according to standard procedures. Hydroalcoholic extracts at doses of 50, 100, 300, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight were administered to separate groups of mice (n=5) after overnight fasting. Subsequent to administration of the extracts, the animals were observed closely for the first 3 h for any toxic manifestations such as increased locomotor activity, salivation, clonic convulsion, coma and death. Subsequent observations were made at regular intervals for 24 h. The animals were observed for a further week. The hydroalcoholic extracts were safe up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight, so 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg were used as moderate dose for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activities [9].
Scheme 1. Separation of alkaloid and non-alkaloid extracts of C. orchioides.
2.5. Pharmacological evaluation 2.5.1. Experimental animals
Fifty five Albino rats of Wister strain of both sexes weighing (150–200 g) were maintained under controlled conditions of light (12 h) and temperature 25±2 °C in the Animal House of Guru Ram Das (PG) Institute of Management and Technology, Dehradun, for two week prior to the experiment for acclimatization. Animals had access to food and water ad libitum. All phar-macological activities were carried out as per CPCSEA (Committee for the purpose of control and supervision of experiments on animals) norms (Regn: No. 1145/a/07/CPCSEA) after obtaining the approval from the institutional animal ethical committee of department of pharmacy in GRD (PG) IMT, Dehradun.
2.5.2. Experimental design
Fifty five Wistar rats of either sex were taken and divided into 11 groups, each group was consist of 5 rats. The extracts were administered to the tests groups, indomethacin was administered to standard group and control group received only 0.5% Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sodium CMC) suspension by oral route. Carrageenan (1% in 0.9% NaCl; 0.1 ml) was administered into the subplantar surface of the right hind paw of the Wistar rats 30 min. after the administration of the extracts or indomethacin [10]. Sodium CMC did not produce evident changes in activity response.
Group-I (control group) received 0.5% sodium CMC in distilled water (10 ml/kg body weight). Group - II (standard group) received indomethacin (10 mg/kg) suspension in 0.5% sodium CMC (10 ml/kg body weight) served as standard drug. Groups-III, IV and V (test groups 1) hydroalcohalic extract in 0.5% sodium CMC (100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) at 10 ml/kg. Groups-VI, VII and VIII (test groups 2) alkaloidal extract in 0.5% sodium CMC (100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) at 10 ml/kg. Groups-IX, X and XI (test groups 3) non-alkaloidal extract in 0.5% CMC (100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) at 10 ml/kg.
Table 1. Anti inflammatory activity of different fraction of Curculigo orchioides.
|
Groups |
Dose |
|
Change in mean paw volume (in ml) |
|
|
||
|
|
(mg/kg) |
Initial |
After 15min |
After 30 min |
After 60 min |
After 120 min |
|
|
Control |
--- |
0.212± |
0.400± |
0.420± |
0.430± |
0.430± |
|
|
Standard |
|
0.008 |
0.035 |
0.035 |
0.035 |
0.035 |
|
|
10 |
0.172± |
0.184± |
0.194± |
0.202± |
0.208± |
|
|
|
|
|
0.008 |
0.014a |
0.011a |
0.043a |
0.008a |
|
|
Test I |
Anti inflammatory activity of crude hydroalcohalic extracts |
|
|
||||
|
100 |
0.206± |
0.216± |
0.286± |
0.368± |
0.276± |
|
|
|
Test II |
|
0.019 |
0.019a |
0.018b |
0.022b |
0.005b |
|
|
300 |
0.198± |
0.226± |
0.244± |
0.26± |
0.276± |
|
|
|
Test III |
|
0.015 |
0.016a |
0.011a |
0.011b |
0.005a |
|
|
500 |
0.198± |
0.212± |
0.226± |
0.244± |
0.262± |
|
|
|
|
|
0.013 |
0.011a |
0.011a |
0.005b |
0.008a |
|
|
Test I |
Anti inflammatory activity of alkaloidal Fractions |
|
|
|
|||
|
100 |
0.194± |
0.206± |
0.258± |
0.288± |
0.298± |
|
|
|
Test II |
|
0.011 |
0.011a |
0.008a |
0.008c |
0.008b |
|
|
300 |
0.192± |
0.222± |
0.248± |
0.256± |
0.266± |
|
|
|
Test III |
|
0.013 |
0.013a |
0.008a |
0.0089b |
0.008a |
|
|
500 |
0.192± |
0.202± |
0.224± |
0.238± |
0.248± |
|
|
|
|
|
0.010 |
0.013a |
0.013a |
0.008a |
0.004a |
|
|
Test I |
Anti inflammatory activity of non- alkaloidal Fractions |
|
|
|
|||
|
100 |
0.196± |
0.208± |
0.288± |
0.318± |
0.330± |
|
|
|
Test II |
|
0.011 |
0.015a |
0.015b |
0.015b |
0.016c |
|
|
300 |
0.198± |
0.208± |
0.258± |
0.278± |
0.282± |
|
|
|
Test III |
|
0.015 |
0.015a |
0.014a |
0.015b |
0.011b |
|
|
500 |
0.196± |
0.214± |
0.244± |
0.254± |
0.264± |
|
|
|
|
|
0.011 |
0.008a |
0.009a |
0.005b |
0.005a |
|
SEM- Standard Error Mean, n: five animal in each group; value are mean±SEM;
aSignificantly different from control ( p < 0.001); bSignificantly different from control ( p < 0.01) ; cSignificantly different from control ( p < 0.05). Change in mean paw volume (in ml) after administration of control, sample and standard drugs.
2.5.3. Anti-inflammatory activity
For evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect, the paw volume was measured at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after administration of the extracts or the standard drug. The percentage of inhibition of the edema induced by carrageenan was calculated with comparison to the control group (0.5% sodium CMC, 10 ml/kg) [11-13]. The anti- inflammatory activities were determined as the percentage of inhibition of the edema formed after 2 h of carrageenan administration. The percentage inhibition was calculated by using the fallowing formula:
Inhibition %= (A-B/A)×100
A: Mean paw inflamation of control
B: Mean paw inflamation of test
2.5.4. Procedure
The animals were fasted for 12 hours prior to experimental work. A mark was made on the right hind paw just beyond tibiotarsal junction, so that every time the paw was dipped in the mercury (Hg) column up to the fixed mark to insure constant paw volume with the help of Plethysmograph. The initial volume was noted of each rat by mercury (Hg) displacement method. After 15, 30, 60 and 120 min of carrageenan administration, the paw volumes of all groups was measured by using Plethysmograph.
Table 2. Percentage of inhibition of inflammation of fractions of Curculigo orchioides.
|
Groups |
Dose/ |
Change in mean |
% Inhibition |
|
|
Body wt |
paw volume |
|
|
Group I (control) |
10 ml/kg |
0.374±0.086 |
0.00% |
|
Group II (standard) |
10 mg/kg |
0.172±0.014 |
48.66% |
|
Percentage inhibition of Inflammation of Crude ethanol extracts |
|
||
|
Group III (Test group I) |
100 mg/kg |
0.290±0.0194 |
22.45% |
|
Group IV (Test group I) |
300 mg/kg |
0.241±0.0867 |
35.62% |
|
Group V (Test group I) |
500mg/kg |
0.228±0.0253 |
39.03% |
|
Percentage inhibition of Inflammation of alkaloidal fraction |
|
||
|
Group VI (Test group II) |
100 mg/kg |
0.255±0.0114 |
31.68% |
|
Group VII (Test group II) |
300 mg/kg |
0.236±0.0089 |
36.89% |
|
Group VIII (Test group II) |
500 mg/kg |
0.220±0.0130 |
41.17% |
|
Percentage inhibition of inflammation of non-alkaloids extract |
|
||
|
Group IX (Test group III) |
100 mg/kg |
0.268±0.011 |
28.34% |
|
Group X (Test group III ) |
300 mg/kg |
0.245±0.039 |
34.49% |
|
Group XI(Test group III) |
500 mg/kg |
0.034±0.028 |
37.43% |
All groups contained 0.5% sodium CMC as suspending agent. Group-I (control group)- contained only 0.5% sodium CMC. Group-II (standard group) indomethacin (10 mg/kg). Group-III, IV and V (Test groups 1) hydroalcohalic extracts. Group-VI, VII and VIII (Test groups 2) alkaloidal extracts. Group- IX, X and XI (Test groups 3) non-alkaloidal extracts.
2.6. Statistical evaluation
All values are reported as mean±SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). If the overall p- Value was found statistically significant( p < 0.05 ), further comparisons among groups were made according to Tukey’s test.
3. Results and discussion
The yield of the Curculigo orchioides rhizome extract was 5.6% w/w. The acute toxicity of hydroalcoholic extracts was safe up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. The effects of C. orchioides rhizome extracts of HE, AF, and NA on paw edema induced by carrageenan are shown in Table 1. Treatment with HE, AL, and NAF of C. orchioides produced a diminished inflammation in rat hind paw when challenged with carrageenan induced inflammation. Percentage of inhibition of inflammation by HE, AF, and NAF are demonstrated in Table 2. Treatments with 500 mg/kg extract doses showed more effect on inflammation than other doses (300 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) in all test groups. This indicates that HE exhibited a dose-dependent effect on inflammation i.e. 22.45%, 35.62% and 39.03% inhibition at doses level of 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The AF fraction showed 31.68%, 36.89% and 41.17% inhibition at doses level of 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and NAF showed 28.34%, 34.49% and 37.43% inhibition of inflammation at dose levels of 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively.
Antiinflammatory activity of AF was near the activity of the standard drug indomethacin, and was more potent than other extracts HE and NAF. The extracts of C. orchioides showed significant anti-inflammatory activities as evidence by inhibition of paw edema when compare with control group. The results were significant at pC. orchioides as an antiin-flammatory drug, as suggested in the folk medicine.
The search for new anti-inflammatory agents from the vast array of medicinal plant sources are intensifying since they may hold promise for the discovery of therapeutic agents with beneficial effect not just in suppressing relevant aspects of the inflammatory cascade but also on diverse disease conditions where the inflammatory response is amplifying the disease process. This present study was carried out to assess the validity of the folkloric uses of this plant in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
According to literature, C. orchioides contains different phytoconstituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, polyphenols, carbohydrates etc. Anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and tannins have been reported and caused marked inhibition of carrageenan induced edema in experimental animals [14, 15]. Carrageenan induced inflammation mainly mediated by histamine, serotonin and increased synthesis of prostaglandins in the damaged tissue surroundings, the late phase is sustained by prostaglandins released and mediated by bradykinin, leukotrienes, polymorphonuclear cells and prostaglandins produced by tissue macrophages [16]. The inflammatory response involves a complex array of enzyme activation, mediator release, fluid extravasations, cell migration, tissue breakdown and repair [17], which are aimed at host defense and usually activated in most disease condition. Currently much interest have been paid in the searching of medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory activity which may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic agent that is not only used to suppress the inflammation but also used in diverse disease conditions where the inflammation response in amplifying the disease process. Therefore, it is likely that C. orchioides might suppress the formation of these substances or antagonize the action of these substances and thus exerts its anti-inflammatory activity. The study also provides a strong evidence for the use of the rhizome of C. orchioides in folkloric treatment as anti-inflammatory agent. The activity may be due to the presence of one or more phytochemicals present in the extracts. In future, determination of the active phytochemicals those are responsible for the activities and also exact mechanism of actions.
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, the results of the study showed that the extract of C. orchioides rhizomes and its fractions shows anti-inflammatory activities, which explain on the basis of its use in traditional medicine to manage inflammation. The extract contains some biologically active constituents worthy of further investigations. Therefore, the hydroalcoholic extract of C. orchioides and its fractions has a potential application as an anti-inflammatory for the prevention and treatment of inflammation, and the present findings support its traditional local uses.
Acknowledements
The authors are grateful to Dr. Prashant Chaddha for authentication of the plant.
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